Reviews, news, features and all things books for passionate readers

Winding up the Week #51

An end of week recap

We’re winding up the week for the first time in 2019. I hope you enjoyed the celebrations and wish you a Happy New Year.

You may recall that a couple of weeks ago I mentioned I may not be able to commit the time necessary to be as fully involved with the book blogging community as usual. Sad to say, my partner was diagnosed with a particularly aggressive form of cancer shortly before Christmas and is in for a difficult few months of surgery and chemotherapy. Nevertheless, I don’t intend to abandon Book Jotter – indeed, I think it may act as a haven of sanity as we fight this horrible thing. I will therefore post reviews and features as frequently as possible. I also intend to continue with my plans for the Wales Readathon (Dewithon 2019) in March, and I very much hope you will join in the fun.

As ever, this is a weekly post in which I summarize books read, reviewed and currently on my TBR shelf. In addition to a variety of literary titbits, I look ahead to forthcoming features, see what’s on the night-stand and keep readers abreast of various book-related happenings.

CHATTERBOOKS >>

* My Christmas 2018 Book Booty *

Santa left some beauties under my tree on Christmas morning. Did you receive any long-coveted books in your stocking? >> See my Christmas Book Bonanza >>

* Lit Crit Blogflash *

I’m going to share with you six of my favourite literary posts from around the blogosphere. There are so many talented writers posting high-quality book features and reviews, it was difficult to limit the list to only these few – all of them published over the last week or two:

Ash by Alys Einion – The latest novel from Welsh writer, Alys Einion, about a woman escaping an abusive relationship “contains an abundance of issues”, writes Karen from BookerTalk. Although she found the book “a little repetitive”, the “characterisation kept [her] interest throughout.”

Umpteen fascinating articles appeared on my bookdar last week. I generally make a point of tweeting my favourite finds (or adding them to our Facebook group page), but in case you missed anything, here are a handful of interesting snippets:

If there is something you would particularly like to see on Winding Up the Week or if you have any suggestions, questions or comments for Book Jotter in general, please drop me a line or comment below. I would be delighted to hear from you.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I wish you a week bountiful in books and rich in reading.

NB In this feature, ‘winding up’ refers to the act of concluding something and should not be confused with the British expression: ‘wind-up’ – an age-old pastime of ‘winding-up’ friends and family by teasing or playing pranks on them. If you would like to know more about this expression, there’s an excellent description on Urban Dictionary.

Such distressing news for you . Take care of each other and make time to take care of yourself. You might be right about your blog giving you some joy and sanity. You don’t need long posts. Just drop in with what you’re reading and how you’re going for the support and distraction. All the very best to both of you. 🤠🐧

Hi Paula, I – like other commenters – am sorry to learn of your partner’s cancer diagnosis. I hope that the two of you will be recipients of a great load of love, support, and medical expertise this year.

Paula, I had somehow missed your December 15 WUTW post, and I am sorry to hear this news. As always, your resilience and positivity are an inspiration to me. I will be here reading whatever content you put on Book Jotter. Sending positive thoughts for healing to your partner and love to you.

As always, thanks for the great links of interest. I’m sorry and sad to hear about your partner’s health challenges, which makes them your challenges, as well. I’ll keep you both in my thoughts as these coming months progress.

Wishing you and your partner the best outcome. I gave up my job to care for my husband when he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. I managed to write a little every day to keep myself sane! I hope you can too as looking after yourself is important. I know it might not feel like that but you need your strength so you can give it. Best of wishes xxx

Thank you so much, Maria. The number of people who have gone or are going through the same thing is quite astonishing. My partner and I sold our business of 26 years in October 2017, which makes coping a little easier. It can’t have been easy for you to give up your job, but I can fully understand why you would do so. It feels like a mountain to climb at present, but I will definitely do my best to keep the blog going. I very much appreciate your words of wisdom – all advice is very gratefully received at the moment. 🤗 xxx

Sending thoughts of strength and courage to you and your partner. Finding a ‘sane’ place is very important for both of you at this time, whatever that may be.

I enjoy these Friday posts and learn a lot. As a former book clerk working in a variety of bookshops I liked A New Year in a Bookshop as well as learning that the LGBT bookstore in Glasgow is proving successful.

Thank you so much for your kind words, Laurie. I’m so glad you like my end of week posts. I’ve really enjoyed reading Victoria Blake’s Tales from the Book Trade series – especially her descriptions of the odd things that turn up inside books. I would very much like to visit that bookstore in Glasgow one of these days. It’s such a refreshing change to read a success story about an independent book shop these days! 😊

Paula, I have so enjoyed reading your blog and getting to know you a little bit through it. You have such a wide ranging and interesting take on the literary world. I hope that you will be able to write a bit given your current challenge.
But, more importantly, please know that I am thinking of both you and your partner. I hope that treatment goes well and that you and your partner will be okay. I truly wish you both all the best.
Joyce

I am saddened to hear the news about your partner and feel for him and you.
Hope is what stays with us and often helps us win the way.
Writing on will probably be a very good therapy for you, so keep it up.
Bless you both

Oh Paula. I have only just read this. I am so sorry for you and your partner. Cancer treatment can be horrendous but I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that. I wish you both all the best with this journey. I hope when you do manage to post – and I understand the therapeutic value of doing so – that you give us updates every now and then.

Thank you so much, Clare. There’s absolutely no need to apologise, I know only too well it isn’t possible to read everything. The Chemo will last for a few months (a fresh dose every three weeks), so we’ve got some way to go, but it’s a brand new treatment and we’re really hopeful it will shrink the tumour. 😊

On Twitter

Writer’s Toolbox

Affiliate Links

As an affiliate of both Book Depository and Blackwell’s I earn from qualifying purchases. Please support this site by purchasing books via these links – there will be no additional costs to yourselves.